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Matthew 5:46 – I picked this verse because of the timing of it. A friend of mine watched the movie ‘Amish Grace’ and loved it. She suggested I would like it also because of the message and hope of forgiveness. I have put off for a couple of years because I do not like sad movies. This movie is about the tragic shooting that took place in 2006 where 5 Amish children were killed and 5 seriously injured. This is about 60 miles from where I live. Finally, last week I agreed to watch it. I started watching the movie last Wednesday, the same day that 9 people were shot and killed in their church during a Bible study in Charleston, South Carolina. The Amish, like the Christians in Charleston were quickly to forgive. This evening I watched on the internet the families of the victims offering public forgiveness to this killer. They told the killer they are praying for this his soul. We hear about so much evil in the world but these people are showing the unsaved world that Jesus real, He is alive and He is working in our lives. Wake up world, time is running out. Give your hearts to Jesus and see what true love and forgiveness is all about. Father I pray that You would strengthen and comfort these hurting people. Father, use these two horrific tragedies to bring many into Your Kingdom.

Following Jesus is so contrary to the world's values and can only be accomplished by the Power of The Holy Spirit in me!

This is probably one of the hardest things for me. Loving people that i dont know or that i may not agree with or even like. Or people that dont like or love me.

As Christians we must get out of our "comfort zone" and meet others who may need our help. Too often we stay within the walls of our churches and rarly venture out to minister to those who need to be ministered to. Those who need to hear the Gospel are those who we don't love or call friends. We are commanded to go into all the earth and spread the gospel, not just inside our church.